AN: Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Eliot is sitting on the couch watching the game when his phone rings. He pulls it out and looks down to see it's Avery. Eliot answers the call and puts the phone to his ear.
"Thought you weren't going to call until tonight?" Eliot asks as he keeps his eyes on the TV screen.
"Dad, these guys are chasing me," Avery's breathless voice says hurriedly.
"What? Who?" Eliot asks as he stands up and his body tenses. He's immediately in father mode and he glances at the rest of the team. They all heard the tone change and are now watching Eliot carefully.
"I don't know, but they seem like they know what they're doing. Like they've had some sort of training," Avery explains as he breath begins to come back.
"Where are you now?" Eliot asks into the phone.
"In a cab. In London. I lost them for now," Avery explains. Eliot sighs but his body is still tense and worry still flooding his eyes. Eliot looks over at Hardison and sees his fingers already flying over his keyboard.
"Hardison…" Eliot says and walks over to where the hacker is sitting.
"Where?" Hardison asks, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"London," Eliot replies with the phone still to his ear. Hardison types furiously into the computer for a few moments before a map of London comes up. A red dot appears on the screen and is moving slowly along the street. Nate had Hardison implant a tracking device in Avery's phone and sneakers; Hardison was glad they did.
"Hardison," Nate says as he, Sophie and Parker join Eliot and Hardison at the table.
"Already booked five tickets to London. Our plane leaves in two hours," Hardison says as he presses a button on his computer before shutting it down. The team look down at their phones and see the tracking system on their phones.
"Let's go steal us an Avery," Nate says before walking out the door with the team on his heels.
"Ave, we're coming. I'm going to call Quinn. See if he's nearby. Just… stay out of sight," Eliot says urgently into the phone.
"Okay," Avery replies and the call is disconnected. Eliot dials Quinn's number and waits for him to answer.
"What?" the blond Hitter barks into his phone.
"Avery's in trouble. You anywhere near England?" Eliot says over the line. He knows not to beat around the bush and he knows that Quinn will help if it's Avery that needs it.
"I'm in Germany. I can be there in a couple hours, tops," Quinn replies as Eliot hears the man moving around. "Where is she?"
"London," Eliot replies, running a hand through his hair.
"I got a friend there she can hole up with," Quinn continues and Eliot hears a door shut. "I'll give her a call. Give her a heads up."
Quinn continues and gives Eliot the address before the two Hitters hang up their phones. Eliot quickly calls Avery and tells her the address and that Quinn will meet her there. They hang up the phone and Eliot sighs in frustration. Eliot realizes he never explained what was going on and he takes the opportunity to do so now.
LEVERAGE
Avery looks out the window as the cab pulls up to a Bed and Breakfast. She quickly hands the driver money and exits the vehicle. She hears the cab drive off as she takes in the building before her. Glancing around, Avery finally opens the door and enters the Bed and Breakfast, a bell tinkling to announce her arrival.
A woman in her mid-forties and slightly graying hair emerges from a back room. She sees Avery and gives her a smile. The woman glances behind her and her smile falters before looking back at Avery. Avery's hair is amiss and a tenseness is evident throughout her body. Her eyes watch the woman closely.
"Can I help you?" the woman asks even as she's sure Avery is the girl Quinn called her about.
"Um… a… friend… told me to come her…" Avery says, not sure how much to give away.
"You're the girl Quinn called about," the woman acknowledges and Avery nods her head and sighs in relief. The woman walks over to Avery and rests a hand on her shoulder. "Follow me. My name's Amanda."
The woman leads Avery up a flight of stairs and Avery follows after her. Avery picks up on the fact that Amanda doesn't have a British accent and is, in fact, American. Avery looks around her as they climb to the third floor. It's here Avery remembers Amanda had given her, her name.
"My name's Avery," Avery says as Amanda opens a door and leads her inside.
"I wish we could've met on better circumstances," Amanda says truthfully as she turns to face Avery. "You can stay int his room until Quinn gets here. Would you like something to eat? Drink?"
"Um… yes, please," Avery replies with a smile.
"I'll bring up some food from dinner," Amanda says before walking over to the door.
LEVERAGE
Avery sets the dirty dishes in the sink. She turns the water on and prepares to wash them but Amanda's voice stops her.
"Don't worry about. I'll do it," Amanda says as she walks over to the sink.
"I can do them. Really," Avery argues as she looks over at Amanda. Amanda waves her off and begins washing Avery's dishes. Avery watches her for a moment before asking what she wanted to.
"How do you know Quinn?" Avery asks, looking up at Amanda's face. Amanda smiles but doesn't answer right away. Avery waits patiently for her to answer.
"He's my younger brother," Amanda finally answers, causing Avery's eyes to widen and her eyebrows to arch.
"I didn't know…" Avery begins but stops. Amanda finishes the dishes and turns the water off.
"Few people do," Amanda says, grabbing a towel and drying her hands. She looks out the window. "Quinn should be her…"
Amanda drops off as she stares out the window at something. Avery furrows her eyebrows and moves to see what has Amanda's attention but Amanda stops her. Avery gives her a curious look and Amanda throws the towel on the counter before shoving Avery towards the stairs.
"What's wrong?" Avery asks as she walks up the stairs and allows Amanda to usher her into the room.
"There are two men outside and they don't look friendly. If it comes to it there is a trellis outside your window," Amanda says before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
Avery couldn't understand how the two guys found her. She was far ahead of them. Not that it mattered now; they found her and Avery will more than likely have to make another run for it.
LEVERAGE
Lance and Tony walk up to the Bed and Breakfast. It was getting late and they knew the girl would have to find some place to stay the night. Every since they lost her, they began searching every inn, hotel, and Bed and Breakfast they knew and came across. The two men walk in to the entryway and see a woman behind a desk.
"Can I help you?" Amanda asks with a smile.
"We're looking for a girl. About seventeen, with brown hair and blue eyes. About yeah tall," Tony says, holding his hand out at Avery's height. Amanda makes like she's thinking but then shakes her head.
"No, I'm sorry. Is she lost?" Amanda replies, sounding worried.
"It's my niece. She took off and now we can't find her," Tony explains with a grimace. Amanda forces a smile.
"I'm sorry. I'll keep an eye out fir her," she replies, wanting to get rid of these guys as fast as she could.
"I think we'll just take a look around," Lance says, leaving no room for argument. Lance and Tony walk determinedly past Amanda and over to the stairs. Amanda curses under her breath and quickly follows after them.
LEVERAGE
"Can't this plane move any faster?" Eliot growls as he glares in front of of him. Sophie and Nate sigh. Eliot had been irritable and impatient since Avery's call; and he had every right to be. It didn't make it any more fun to deal with though.
"The plane can only go so fast Eliot," Nate replies calmly. "Even if we're in a hurry."
Eliot looks over at Nate and sends his glare towards the leader. Nate sighs and focuses his attention back in front of him.
"We'll get there in time. And Quinn was heading there too right?" Sophie tries, looking over at Eliot. Eliot grumbles but doesn't actually say anything. He slumps down in his seat and crosses his arms as death glares shoot at everyone and everything.
LEVERAGE
Avery tries to listen to the conversation but can't make out what is being said. Suddenly, she hears boots ascending the stairs. Avery's heartbeat picks up and she quietly shuts her door and hurries over to the window. She opens it up and peers outside. She looks to either side of the window and sees the trellis to her left. It was a long way down and Avery takes a couple deep breaths. The boots are getting closer and Avery glances behind her before climbing out the window and over to the trellis. She forces herself to not look down and tries to control her breathing. Why did it have to be heights? Avery hears the boots just outside the door and she descends the trellis as fast as she can. When she gets near the bottom, she hears a shout and she looks up to see the short-haired guy looking down at her with a scowl. Avery looks below her and sees she's only a short distance from the ground. She jumps off the trellis and lands on her feet, going to a crouch to limit the impact.
Avery stands up and takes off at a sprint down the street. She doesn't slow down knowing the thugs will be running after her. Avery skids around a corner and continues running at full speed. As she passes an indent in the building, a pair of arms reach out and grab her, yanking her into the building through the open door.
AN: Thanks for reading! Only one more chapter!